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University of Hartford defender selected in Third Round by the reigning MLS Cup champions

Andre Morrison, the 2016 Ocean City Nor'easters Defender of the Year, was selected in the 2018 Major League Soccer SuperDraft this past weekend. The University of Hartford defender was taken with the 23rd pick in the Third Round by Toronto FC, the reigning MLS Cup champions.

This marks the fourth year in a row, and six of the last seven years, that an Ocean City alum has been drafted by a MLS team.

Morrison played for Ocean City during the 2015 and 2016 seasons, helping the club win the 2016 Eastern Conference championship. The Clarendon, Jamaica native played in 16 regular season games and played every minute of the team's 2016 playoff run (four games) to the PDL Semifinals.

"Andre was instrumental for us in his two seasons with us, especially in our Final Four run in 2016," said Nor'easters sporting director Tim Oswald who was the head coach from 2012-16. "He had a calming presence on the pitch as a centerback, but his physicality, strength, and ball-winning ability made him a dominant force in so many situations. He was tremendous in transition to stymie the opposition's counter and a stalwart on set piece scenarios. We are very proud of him and wish him the best in Toronto as he chases his professional goals and aspirations."

Morrison played four seasons for the Hartford Hawks where he was a two-time All-Conference selection, an All-Rookie Team selection after his freshman season and most recently was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-East Region Team. He scored five goals in his college career (and one goal with Ocean City) but his biggest goal may have came last week in the 2018 MLS Combine. While playing for Team X, he scored an incredible volley goal that many considered the best goal of the competition. (WATCH BELOW)

"I have been saying for a long time that Andre is one of the best defenders in the country and I am really happy his hard work has paid off with this opportunity." Head Coach Tom Poitras said in a statement on the Hartford Hawks website. "Andre has grown so much as a player and person during his time at Hartford, our entire university should be proud of the part they have played in his development."

Morrison is the 23rd Ocean City alum to be drafted by an MLS team and the second (Mitchell Taintor in 2016) to be chosen by Toronto FC. Out of the 81 players chosen in the four rounds of the draft, 66 of them (81%) spent time in the PDL.